Shipping-crate.



No. 827,877. PATENTED AUG. 7, 1906.

B. s. MoGAIN. SHIPPING CRATE.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG-7. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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PATENTED AUG. 7, 1906.

. B. S. MOG AIN' SHIPPING CRATE. APPLIUATIOIIILED D110. 7. 1905.

2 SHE,ETSSHEET 2.

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l STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

BILLY s. MoGAIN, or MONROE CITY, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF "ro J. w.JONES, or MONROE cIrY, INDIANA.

SHIPPING-CRATE.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. '7, 1906.

Application filed December 7, 1905. Serial NO: 290.788-

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BILLY S. MCCAIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Monroe City, in the county of Knox and State of Indiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shipping Crates, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved shipping-crate of that type whichare adapted to be knocked down or collapsed when not in use.

The object of the invention is to provide a crate of this characterwhich will occupy a minimum amount of space when folded, which can beeasily and quickly set up, and which will be so rigid as to eliminateall possibility of accidentally collapsing when in use.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means foreffecting the result reference is to be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective Viewshowing the crate in an open position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal verticalsection taken through the crate when open. Fig. 3 is a transversesectional view, the crate being folded. Fig. 4

.is a similar view through one of the ends when the crate is unfolded.Fig. 5 is a similar view through the intermediate partition, and Fig. 6is an inside elevation of one of the sides.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followin descriptionand indicated in all the views 0 the drawings by the same referencecharacters.

The numeral 1 designates the bottom of the crate, which is provided atits ends with notches 2, and 3 the ends of the crate, which are hingedto the bottom 1. For this purpose strap-hinges 4 are provided, the upperportions of which serve as a reinforcing means for the end portions 3,while the lower portion of the hinges fit in the notches 2 and are be ta ou a ecured to he bot om 1.. T e sides of e c a e are ea formed i twosections, the lower section being rigidly se= cured to the bottom 1,while the upper section is connected to the lower sections by means ofstrap-hinges 5. The upper part of the strap-hinges extend along thesides and serve as a reinforcing agent, while the lower end is bentaround and secured to the ment with each other.

bottom of the crate. The'lower portion 6 of one of the sides is of asuitable height to permit the upper section 7 to fold over upon the ends3, while the lower section 9 of the opposite side is of such a height asto permit the upper section 9 to fold over upon the upper section 7 ofthe opposite side. Anglepieces 10 are secured to the opposite ends ofeach of the upper sections 7 and 9 of the sides. One of the sides of theangle-pieces 10 serves as a stop-flange 11 to engage with the ends 3when the latter are open, while the opposite sides of the angle-pieces10 are provided with notches 12. Headed pins or studs 13 project fromthe ends of the members 3 and are so arranged that the shanks thereofwill enter the notches 12. tions of the sides below the notches 12 arerecessed at 14 for the reception of the heads of the studs 13. Since theheads of the studs 13 will not pull through the notches 12, it will beapparent that the sides and ends of the crate will thus be held in aclose engage- It will be observed that the mouths of the notches 12 areflared outwardly, and thus serve to guide the stud 13 into the throat orcontracted portion.

In order to hold the ends 13 securely against the stop-flanges 11 whenthe crate is distended, spring-catches 15 are provided. These catches 15are preferably formed from a single strip of spring metal, one end ofwhich is secured to the side of the crate, while the opposite end isbent inwardly to form a shoulder which fits against the ends 3. It willthus be apparent that when the ends 3 are folded outwardly the catches15 will permit them to swing into engagement with the stop-flanges 11and will hold them in the latter position until the spring-catches arepressed inward by some external force. Transverse strips of metal 16 aresecured at corresponding points to the upper sections 7 and 901? thesides of" the crate and are provided with angular notches 17. The upperportion of the notches 17 is approximately horizontal and flaresoutwardly to form a mouth, while the lower portion of the notches isapproximately vertical and is contracted to form a throat. A partition18 is provided at its ends with headed studs 19, similar to the studs 13and which are adapted to fit into the notches 17 when the partition isin position. For this purpose the portion of the The porsides under thenotches 17 are recessed to receive the heads of the studs 19. The coverto the crate comprises a light piece of wood 20, which fits over the topthereof. A strip of flexible material, such as sheet metal, is securedto the edges of the wooden cover 20 and forms a flange 21, which fitsaround the top of the crate.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that when the crate isdistended the side pieces and ends will be held rigidly in engagementwith each other. The studs 13 and notches 12 will operate with eachother to prevent the sides from swinging outwardly or away from the ends3, and the stop-flanges 11 and the spring-catches 15 will cooperate toprevent the ends 3 from swinging out of position. When the crate isfolded, the various members will fit closely against each other, owingto the special formation of the sides, and will occupy a very smallamount of space. Attention may also be directed to the fact that theportions of the strap-hinges 4 and 5 which are secured to the bottom 1will hold the latter member rigidly in position and prevent any dangerof its sagging or dropping out of position should the crate be filledwith heavy material. It will thus be understood that all the variousparts of the crate cooperate with each other to secure a very rigidconstruction and one which will Withstand any hard usage to which it maybe subjected.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In adevice of the character described, the combination of a bottom, endshinged to the bottom and adapted to be folded thereagainst, a pair ofoppositely-disposed sides adapted to fold inwardly, an angle-piecesecured to each end of each of the sides, one of the flanges of each ofthe angle-pieces fitting against the inner face of the side and beingprovided with notches, the portions of the side under the-notches beingrecessed, While the opposite flange projects inwardly and forms a stopfor the ends, headed studs projecting from the ends and adapted to enterthe before-mentioned notches to hold the ends and sides together whenthe crate is distended, and spring-catches for holding the ends againstthe stop-flanges when the crate is distended. 4

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a bottom,ends hinged to the bottom and adapted to be folded thereagainst, a pairof oppositely-disposed sides adapted to fold inwardly an angle-piecesecured to each end of each of the sides, one of the flanges of each ofthe angle-pieces fitting against the inner face of the side and beingprovided With notches, while the opposite flange pro'ects inwardly andforms a stop for the ends, eaded studs projecting from the ends andadapted to enter the before-mentioned notches to hold the ends and sidestogether when the crate is distended, means for holding the endssecurelyagainst the stopflanges, transverse strips secured at correspondingpoints to the opposite sides of the crate, the said strips beingprovided with angular notches, one portion of each of the notchesextending longitudinally along the strip, while the opposite portion hasa lateral direction and forms a mouth leading into the longitudinalportions, and an intermediate partition provided at its ends with headedstuds which cooperate with the angular notches in the before-mentionedstrips to hold the intermediate partition removably in position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

BILLY S. MCCAIN. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

J. W. JoNEs, H. E. JoNEs.

